Parenteral sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (Fansidar): an effective and safe but under-used method of anti-malarial treatment.
One hundred and eighteen patients with acute falciparum malaria were randomized into treatment with either intramuscular or oral sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (Fansidar, Roche) and the results were compared with those from 68 patients treated in parallel with chloroquine. Parasitological cure rate was 97% with oral sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, 95% with the injection, and only 63% with chloroquine. The time for the disappearance of parasitaemia in sensitive cases was the same with oral and intramuscular sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and shorter than with chloroquine. Side effects occurred in only 3 of the patients treated with intramuscular sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine compared with 8 of those treated with the tablets and 13 of those treated with chloroquine. The results showed that intramuscular sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine is as effective as, and probably better tolerated than, the oral drug. Increasing failure of response to chloroquine in Nigeria was also demonstrated.
Salako
L A
LA
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Adio
R A
RA
Sowunmi
A
A
Walker
O
O
D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum; D011739:Pyrimethamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013413:Sulfadoxine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000962:Antimalarials; D004338:Drug Combinations; C001205:fanasil, pyrimethamine drug combination; D013413:Sulfadoxine; D002738:Chloroquine; D011739:Pyrimethamine